Twins cancel Knoblauch's Hall of Fame induction

Ceremony had been scheduled for Aug. 23 before former star's arrest Wednesday

By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- In the wake of recent news, the Twins announced they have canceled Chuck Knoblauch's 2014 Twins Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which had been scheduled for Aug. 23 at Target Field.

Knoblauch, 46, was arrested Wednesday night and stands accused of assaulting his ex-wife, Cheri, according to KHOU-TV in Houston. The former Twins second baseman was charged with assault of a family member, according to the report.

Knoblauch and his ex-wife divorced in 2012. He previously was convicted of hitting his first wife in 2010 and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Twins president Dave St. Peter said the club became aware of Knoblauch's latest arrest early Thursday, and he spoke twice via phone with Knoblauch, who agreed it was for the best to cancel his Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

"We thought today's course of action was certainly in the best interest of the Minnesota Twins organization," St. Peter said. "Ultimately, I think it's also in the best interest for Chuck and his family -- and most importantly for our members in our Hall of Fame. It's something ownership and I felt very strongly about. And it's something Chuck Knoblauch feels strongly about. He's saddened and disappointed."

Knoblauch was elected to the club's Hall of Fame in January but now will not be inducted. A 62-member committee consisting of local and national media, club officials, fans and past elected members voted him in using rules similar to the voting process for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Created in 2000, the Twins Hall of Fame has 26 inductees, including players, managers, broadcasters, owners and members of the club's front office. But Knoblauch will no longer be a part of that group, and the Twins have no plans to reschedule his induction.

"Never is a strong word, but there are no plans to reschedule," St. Peter said. "At a later time it could be revisited, but at this time, we have no current intent to reschedule."

Knoblauch finished his Twins career with a .304/.391/.416 line with 43 homers, 210 doubles, 51 triples and 276 stolen bases in 1,013 games. He also helped lead the Twins to the 1991 World Series while winning American League Rookie of the Year honors that season. He was a four-time All-Star and won two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove in his seven years in Minnesota.

St. Peter said he voted for Knoblauch to join the club's Hall of Fame based on his on-field play, but that the Twins also value off-the-field qualities as well, so they made their decision swiftly on Thursday.

"As a sports franchise, when you start a Hall of Fame and you pay tribute to players, I think you also have to take the responsibility of taking off-field activities into account," St. Peter said. "At the end of the day, there's a lot of focus on on-field pieces, but to me off-the-field elements are just as important to an organization and a brand."